Jim FisherThe Best Waterproof Digital Cameras for 2019Want a camera you can take to the beach? These tough, weatherproof models are built to capture your outdoor adventures, both on dry land and underwater.

Don't Fear the Water

If you're spending a day lounging on the beach or snorkeling at an exotic locale, you may choose to leave your camera at home for fear of getting it wet or otherwise damaged. If those are the only things holding you back from snapping photos during your outdoor adventures, consider picking up a model that can withstand some abuse and even shoot underwater and keep on ticking.

We've reviewed specialized cameras like the SeaLife Micro 2.0, which is rated to work at depths of 200 feet, where only the most highly-trained scuba divers dare venture. If your needs aren't that specific, you can also shop for a better all-around compact, like our Editors' Choice, the Olympus TG-5. It has a wide-aperture lens, can survive drops and extreme cold, and is rated for 50-foot dives.

You'll notice that most underwater compacts have short zooms or fixed focal length lenses. There's a good reason for this—all of the zooming mechanism has to be sealed in the body. Pocket models with long zooming lenses achieve 30x power by significantly extending the lens past the body when the camera is powered on. We typically see 4x or 5x zoom lens on waterproof models.

Larger Sensors, Better Images

Nikon has a unique offering in the form of the 1 AW1. It's the only interchangeable lens model on the market that can go underwater without a housing. It uses a 1-inch image sensor, much larger than those in a typical compact, and you can take it as deep as 49 feet. There are currently two lenses available for the camera that can go underwater with it, but if you're on dry land it can accept any 1 Nikkor lens. If you want to enjoy the benefits of a 1-inch sensor in a compact form factor, take a look at the SeaLife DC2000.

If a 1-inch sensor isn't big enough, and you've got deep pockets, the Leica X-U is a solid option. It's rated for use 49 feet below the surface and has an image sensor that's the same size found in consumer SLRs. Its lens is also a gem, with a bright f/1.7 aperture and a fixed 35mm field of view.

External Housings

If none of these models tickle your fancy, consider choosing a camera that's not natively rated for underwater use and pair it with an external housing from Ikelite, Sea and Sea, or another well-regarded manufacturer. You can get housings for popular SLRs and compact cameras as well, giving you a bit more versatility. But it's typically a more complicated proposition than simply buying a waterproof model. You'll need to worry about getting the right ports for your lens and checking seals between dives. A housing is a choice for a serious underwater enthusiast, not a casual snorkeler.

An Action Cam Instead?

What about a GoPro? Most action cameras are waterproof, either on their own or by using an external case, which is typically included. They're typically better for videos than stills, with near fish-eye lenses that are designed to capture a wide swath of the world. If that's what you want, check out our picks for The Best Action Cameras.

About the Author

Senior digital camera analyst for the PCMag consumer electronics reviews team, Jim Fisher is a graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he concentrated on documentary video production. Jim's interest in photography really took off when he borrowed his father's Hasselblad 500C and light meter in 2007. He honed his writing skills at re... See Full Bio

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